Fallen Angel

She breathed a sigh of relief only after she reached Hannah’s room. After placing a gentle knock, she opened the door to find Hannah packing her school bag.

“Good morning,” Sera sauntered in, wearing a smile. Hannah looked up and flashed her a bright smile. 

“Sera, you are here!” Hannah exclaimed in joy. “I thought you forgot,” she added, looking relieved now. 

“How could I?” Sera said before holding out the book to her, “I’ve solved all the questions. Go through them and learn the steps.” 

Hannah nodded enthusiastically while flipping through the pages. Hannah, unlike her elder siblings, was a bundle of sweetness. She was grounded and had a good head on her shoulders. Sera liked spending time with her. She was little but spiritual. For her, Hannah was like a little sister she never had. 

“Come, let’s have breakfast,” Hannah hurriedly slipped the book into her bag and grinned. They went downstairs. 

Gigi was already there at the table, applying butter to her bread while humming a song to herself. Sera let Hannah take the lead as she didn’t want to catch Gigi’s attention. She was just as much of a bully as her twin. It was beyond her as to how the eldest siblings turned out to be so evil under Mrs. Serrano's wings. She was a devotee yet her eldest twins were devil incarnate.

Gigi looked up, her eyes caught Hannah first before drifting to Sera. She scanned her appearance with a critical gaze, then shifted her attention back to Hannah. Sera always felt like trash in front of her and Gloria. They were the kind of girls poets write poetry about.       

“A little bird told me you are participating in a play,” Gigi remarked, her lips curling into a knowing smirk.     

“I am,” Hannah answered, pulling her chair and sitting down. Sera quietly followed suit.

“I can get you the main role. You just have to say the word,” Gigi offered, now smiling slyly.  

“No thanks. I am content with my current role,” Hannah shot down the offer instantly. She was tired of her older siblings babying her all the time.   

“Are you sure? I can do this in the snap of my fingers,” Gigi insisted, a frown ruining her fine brows. Hannah let out an exasperated sigh.  

“I know you have connections in high places, Gigi. But I am good. I want to do this on my own,” Hannah maintained, a hint of frustration filtered into her sweet voice. 

A hint of disapproval crossed Gigi's features before she coached “You can also make connections with people who actually matter, but for that..” she paused, her gaze briefly flickering to Sera before returning to her and continued, “you’ll need to let go of those who don’t.”  Sera was hurt by her harsh remark but it wasn’t anything new. 

“I have connections with people who are genuine, who actually care about my wellbeing. They matter the most to me,” Hannah defended, knowing very well the taunt was aimed at Sera.  

“Whatever,” she uttered dismissively. Just then Ara emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray of pancakes. 

“Good Morning, Kids,” she chimed, placing the tray in the middle. Gigi and Hannah greeted her back. 

“We can never be grateful enough to the almighty for blessing us with food on our table,” Gigi cooed while taking a small piece of pancake from the tray. Hannah rolled her eyes at her sister’s acting skills. Gigi had no sense of gratitude, she only knew how to act well. 

“Indeed. God is kind and so should we,” Ara repeated to her children. “Sera, have some,” she urged the quiet girl. Sera hesitantly reached out to take a slice.  

“When is Dad coming? I am missing him,” Hannah said, digging into her plate. 

“He’ll be back soon,” Ara assured her with a smile but the truth was she was missing him too. 

“Nathan, come have breakfast,” Ara called out suddenly, causing Sera to tense up. Ara was looking behind her. 

...

The base of her spine tingled with apprehension as she sensed him walking towards them. 

“You hurt yourself again,” Ara noticed the fresh giant cut in his palm. He was coming back from his morning training. Killian wanted him to train well and prove himself worthy of Italy. Nate had mostly taken after his dad- his desire for power and control exceeded all boundaries. 

Her hands curled into tight fists on her lap as he slid into the edge of her sight, coming closer. Annoyance coiled in her stomach as he claimed a seat across from her. For heaven’s sake! Why did he have to sit right in front of her? She didn’t dare lift her head, terrified their eyes might meet. 

“You haven’t even treated it. Let me get the first aid,” Ara moved to rise but Nate stopped her by grasping her wrist. 

“Mom, it’s just a cut. It will heal on its own,” Nate assured his mother in an unexpectedly warm voice. His non-threatening tone shocked Sera. He is capable of speaking like that?   

“But..” 

“For Italy, he’ll have to bleed a little,” Gigi remarked before casually putting a few nuts into her mouth. 

Ara already knew it. Being a mother in the mafia world wasn't easy.  

“But you don’t have to look homeless for that. Go, get a bath. You stink,” Ginger added. 

At that, Sera couldn’t resist sneaking a glance at him only to get disappointed. Not in the slightest he did look homeless. His tousled midnight locks hung just above his piercing silver eyes, which gleamed with a cold intensity. His angular jawline and prominent cheekbones made his face appear like something carved from stone. Every feature was perfectly defined, from his straight nose to his thin, firm lips. He fit the description of a fallen angel- dazzling but dangerous.     

Suddenly, his gaze snapped to her.